Adult - Wings

• Adult - Overview
• Adult - Head
• Adult - Antennae
• Adult - Proboscis
• Adult - Thorax
• Adult - Legs
• Adult - Reproduction

The wing possesses a system of ridges or veins which provide support. They also serve as the paths for air and blood circulation during the development of the wing before the fly emerges from the puparium.

The wing veins are assigned names and numbers for use in describing and identifying different species of flies.

The area between adjacent veins is called a cell.

The house fly venation is fairly distinctive and an important character to use (along with others) to identify the species (Fig 16A-F).

Figure 16A-F

16A. Wing of the house fly, Musca domestica, showing the fourth longitudinal vein (M1+2) curving forward to nearly meet the vein R4+5 at the wing margin.

16B. Wing of the little house fly, Fannia canicularis, showing the vein M1+2 not curved to meet vein R4+5 and the second anal vein curving forward towards the first anal vein.

16C. Wing of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, showing the vein M1+2 only slightly curved
forward towards vein R4+5.

16D. Wing of the false stable fly, Muscina stabulans.

16E. Wing of black garbage flies, Ophyra spp.

16F. Wing of a blow fly, Phaenicia spp. (Family Calliphoridae).